Steven Lawton

I am a highly professional, experienced and flexible Chartered Engineer and leader. A former Warrant Officer Class One in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers of the Army with experience in Tier 1 automotive industry manufacturing and aerospace engineering services supply chain. Varied experience in Leadership, maintenance, service support, management, change projects, Business Development and account management.

Conducts briefings and presentations in any environment with proven instructional ability. Driven by a passion for excellence, professional pride and self-improvement in conjunction with team development, continuously taking on new challenges.

The majority of my career in the military was supporting or instructing on the Rapier Air Defence Missile System. During this time, I was engaged in discussions with Marshall Aerospace to negotiate the refurbishment of maintenance vehicles, planning the work required and delivery plans to suit the user’s capability needs.

I was also engaged with DE&S and DLO Donnington to develop a rationalised approach to equipment maintenance in the Reserve Forces, planned to save over £12m per year.

On leaving the Army, I joined King Automotive Systems (KAS) (now part of Liberty Steel Group) as their Senior Maintenance Manager. My role here was the active management of maintenance activity and suppliers, responsible for procurement and purchasing of spares, ensuring value for money of both products and services whilst maintaining spend within budget. Equipment availability was key in this role to ensure all stakeholders remained satisfied with the service.

A key part of my role at KAS was the proactive development of linking a maintenance system with operational needs, coupled with the customers need for adherence to their Quality Assurance (QA) system. Working with representatives from both JLR and Ford QA departments, I was able to demonstrate improvements made and future propositions which allowed KAS to achieve QA accreditation from both key customers.

Since joining Expleo, I maintain close customer contact is a critical part of a successful role. Initially working closely with Rolls-Royce, supporting their Civil Aerospace Division, I was dealing with their Operational Management to ensure customer satisfaction and organic growth, as well as their Procurement and Functional Management teams to promote the wider Expleo and explore options for large scale growth. A key part of our growth with Rolls-Royce relied on our offshore delivery team based in India, I worked with Rolls-Royce representatives as well as key stakeholders internally to develop our offshore capability in providing a strong delivery into the customer, thus further cementing our relationship.

As my role expanded in Expleo, I found myself carrying out more customer meetings, working with our Technical Delivery Specialists to discuss support options with new potential customers. Each customer required a different approach, however, key to each was to listen and understand their needs.

I have also been instrumental in the growth of our Gas Turbine capability in supporting the AECC Group of China and several of its subsidiaries, this has involved international travel and many translated discussions, always trying to understand the customer needs.

23 years in HM Forces, reaching the rank of Warran Officer Class 1 in the REME, which culminated the end of a career as a Radar engineer. Since leaving the Army i have developed from a Project Manager up to a Head of Business, managing up to 150 people across multiple countries supporting the aerospace service delivery industry. In addition i have developed customer relationship skills as an Account Manager.

HND Engineering and Chartered Manager through IET.